MCGM set to make electric cemeteries more enviro-friendly

Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) is planning to convert the city's eight electric cemeteries more environment-friendly. The civic body is planning to change all eleven electric-run cemeteries to piped natural gas.

Civic body's effort is to reduce pollution and save power. "Even for acquiring electricity, we have to burn so much coal and natural resources. Utilising wood is obviously depleting the green cover. The MCGM has been consistently coming up with different projects to protect the environment and this step will ensure success to some extent,"said Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer of the MCGM.

In the first phase, civic authorities will convert Shivaji Park – Dadar, Sion, Amboli – Andheri, Malad west, Dahanukarwadi – Kandivali west, Borivali east and Borivali west and Kurla. In the second phase, cemeteries from Versova, Oshiwara and Marve will be taken up for conversion.

"This effort will not only save resources like wood and electricity, but cemeteries run on piped natural gas will take only two hours to burn the body, as against wood, which takes up to eight hours. This will save time, money and natural resources," said Dr Keskar, adding that the crematoriums having more numbers will benefit as people will not have to wait for an empty cemetery.

Considering the need, approximately 300 kg firewood is used for cremation of one dead body. According to the Corporation Resolution, dated 24 July 2008, free firewood is given in municipal Hindu as well as private Hindu cemeteries. MCGM spends Rs. 1900 – Rs 2100 for cremation of one dead body.